I’m currently hooked on wines from Washington State.  This started a few weeks ago when I picked up a very reasonably priced bottle of Syrah at my local grocery store.  Loving it so much, I ordered a bottle of Washington Syrah while dining at Proof in DC, and it was again excellent (minus the surprise sediment).  I stopped by my local wine shop and picked up another bottle of Syrah this past week, and I have to say, all three bottles have been consistently delcious.  Washington State has five American Viticultural Areas – Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Puget Sound, Walla Walla Valley, and Red Mountain.  I had a Yakima Syrah, Red Mountain, and Columbia Valley — all have been enjoyable, I’ve preferred the Red Mountain.   Syrah is a Rhone Grape Varietal, and it has only been coming out of Washington in the past 5 years.  The Syrah grape itself is thick-skinned and dark, and when pored into a wine glass, is a deep purple or almost black.  Of the wines I’ve tried from Washington, they’ve been a dark purple, but not nearly as black as a Cotes du Rhone.  The Syrah grape tastes of blackberry and currant fruit, smoke, tar and black pepper, and has a smooth supple texture. What I’ve seen and experienced in the Washington varietals is that they’re still new wines, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable.  The bottles I’ve tried have all been from the 2002 and 2003 vintage, and while not enormously complex, I find them to be great casual wines.  Since they are new wines, most are reasonable priced (from $10-20 at a grocery or wine store).  I’ve found the wines to be fairly fruity, but tamed with a deep smoke/black pepper undertone.  I brought a bottle to a party last week, and it was a hit – many people inquiring about what it was, where it was from, and why they hadn’t yet tried it.  So, reasonably priced, liked by most, and wonderful flavors – I am definitely recommending trying a Washington Syrah if you get the chance!

 Columbia Valley

Powers 2002 Syrah:  Excellent flavor and a good bit of complexity and depth!  http://www.badgermtnvineyard.com/powsyrah.html